Fastjet's executive search finds Wally for chairman role

Fastjet has ended its executive search for its leadership team with three key appointments. The low-cost carrier has named a new non-executive chairman, a non-executive director and a new chief financial officer to its board.
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Rashid Wally has been appointed as non-executive chairman with effect from 1 April. Wally is currently the chairman and member of the audit committee of Mango Airlines. He will be stepping down from Mango to take over the role of Chairman of fastjet from Nico Bezuidenhout, fastjet CEO, who was appointed Interim Chairman in November 2016. 
In addition to his airline experience, Wally has a track record spanning over 38 years in the information technology sector having held various senior executive positions with IBM in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, South East Asia and Lenovo in Africa. He is highly regarded for his corporate turnaround experience, having successfully completed many restructuring projects in his previous roles.
Peter Hyde has been appointed as a non-executive director and chairman of the audit committee with immediate effect. Hyde spent more than 30 years in the financial services industry including extensively covering the transport and aviation sectors as a research analyst. He also has significant industry experience, having previously served as CEO of EasyBus and having held senior project management roles at National Express. Fastjet were keen to point out that Mr Hyde is an independent non-executive director and not a representative of the EasyGroup. 
Lisa Mitchell, chief financial officer, has decided to step down from her role and directorship to pursue other opportunities. Michael Muller becomes the new CFO. Muller has been with Fastjet since November 2016, working out of the airline’s Johannesburg offices. 
Muller has more than 10 years’ experience in the aviation sector, including in management accounting roles with South African Airways and as CFO and director of Air Chefs, a subsidiary of South African Airways. He is a member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, having qualified in 2006.